THE THREAT TO SHIPS THAT CARRY THE FIGHT

As America’s allies, rivals and potential future foes look across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to Capitol Hill, they see an American economy in deep crisis, coupled with a growing isolationist trend among some politicians who seek to shrink our global engagement. Should federal budget-cutters unfortunately opt to undercut our carrier force – anywhere, but particularly in the Pacific – they will, in effect, be telling our allies to look elsewhere for the vital support we have offered them, to our mutual benefit, since 1945.

Shared pain for the greater good in times of crisis is an American tradition. I urge members of Congress to remember that the greater good is defined by more than line items in a budget. Shortsighted cuts at the expense of our nation’s strategic priorities are not the answer. We must do what it takes to ensure that our 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers continue to defend the United States of America “any time, any place, anywhere.”

Keating is a retired Navy admiral and former commander of the Hawaii-based U.S. Pacific Command.